Nature Conversations: Dr. Adam Forbes Interviews the Experts

In this episode I am joined by Dr Kate McAlpine. Kate is a leading Weed Ecologist and is a Science Advisor at the New Zealand Department of Conservation. She has researched weeds and weed ecology comprehensively across New Zealand. Her publications span the impacts and dispersal of weeds, native seedling recruitment in the presence of weeds and mammals, and native plant succession in woody weed stands. I hope you enjoy this episode. Links to Kate’s work mentioned in the podcast: Native regeneration in woody weed stands - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344324539_Understory_vegetation_provides_clues_to_succession_in_woody_weed_stands List of Environmental Weeds in New Zealand -  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383265349_List_of_environmental_weeds_in_New_Zealand_2024 Karaka paper - (PDF) Karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus): native taonga (treasure) or environmental weed? (researchgate.net) Smart Weed Alert Tool (SWAT) - https://www.gbif.org.nz/post/2024/weed-alert-tool/ iNaturalist - https://inaturalist.nz  You can see more of Kate’s work on her Insta account: @katemcweedatwork   About the podcast: Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation. Supporting the podcast and connecting with me: If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways: 1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others, 2 – via my Patreon account (you can even support for free) https://patreon.com/DrAdamForbes  If you’d like to contact me, you can do so via email: [email protected] or via my website https://www.forbesecology.co.nz  You can also find me on socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dradamforbes  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adamforbesnz  LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-forbes-58873a55 Youtube - https://youtube.com/@dradamforbes?si=FzxXRUqdPd9zxPlE  

In this episode I am joined by Dr Shaun Wilkinson. Shaun is a leading expert in eDNA monitoring and the CEO and founder of the DNA sequencing lab, Wilderlab. Shaun explains many aspects of eDNA monitoring and tells me about some exciting applications of this emerging monitoring technique. I hope you enjoy this episode. You can learn more about Wilderlab via their website: https://www.wilderlab.co.nz     About the podcast: Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.   Supporting the podcast and connecting with me: If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways: 1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others, 2 – via my Patreon account (you can even support for free) https://patreon.com/DrAdamForbes If you’d like to contact me, you can do so via email: [email protected] or via my website https://www.forbesecology.co.nz  You can also find me on socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dradamforbes Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adamforbesnz LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-forbes-58873a55 Youtube - https://youtube.com/@dradamforbes?si=FzxXRUqdPd9zxPlE  

In this episode I was fortunate to have Emeritus Professor Robin Chazdon join me for a discussion about her work in Forest Landscape Restoration and Assisted Natural Regeneration.  It is very interesting to contemplate applications of Robin's expertise in Aotearoa New Zealand.   Links mentioned in episode: Forestation International: https://forestorationinternational.org/ World Resources Institute: https://www.wri.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search-google-grants&utm_campaign=climate-change-ngo&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImui7ofzFhgMVWlORBR0U3wIeEAAYASAAEgIGpPD_BwE Assisted Natural Regeneration Alliance: https://www.anralliance.org/   About the podcast: Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.   Supporting the podcast and connecting with me: If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways: 1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others, 2 – via my Patreon account (you can even support for free) https://patreon.com/DrAdamForbes If you’d like to contact me, you can do so via email: [email protected] or via my website https://www.forbesecology.co.nz  You can also find me on socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dradamforbes Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adamforbesnz LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-forbes-58873a55 Youtube - https://youtube.com/@dradamforbes?si=FzxXRUqdPd9zxPlE    

In this episode Lydia Green, the Founder and Project Director of the Manta Watch New Zealand Charitable Trust, joins me to discuss her work with the Oceanic Manta Ray in the waters of Aotearoa and across the South Pacific Ocean.   Links mentioned during the podcast: Sightings Map - https://mantawatchnz.org/sightings-map/  Data Collection Guide - https://mantawatchnz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Data-collection-guide-FINAL.pdf Best Practice Guide - https://mantawatchnz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Best-practice-guide-for-Manta-Ray-Encounters-FINAL-poster.pdf   About the podcast: Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.   Supporting the podcast and connecting with me: If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways: 1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others, 2 – via my Patreon account (you can even support for free) https://patreon.com/DrAdamForbes If you’d like to contact me, you can do so via email: [email protected] or via my website https://www.forbesecology.co.nz  You can also find me on socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dradamforbes Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adamforbesnz LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-forbes-58873a55 Youtube - https://youtube.com/@dradamforbes?si=FzxXRUqdPd9zxPlE